Agriculture

Development assistance for agriculture has declined over the last years, leaving many poor regions more vulnerable to hunger and poverty. In Middle and lower shabele regions especially, agriculture has been plagued by low productivity and under-investment, making it difficult for Somalis to feed themselves and earn an income from farming.

The Opportunity

Investing in agriculture can be transformative, especially for farmers in lower and middle shabele regions, where the sector employs nearly two-thirds of the population and accounts for an average one-third of GDP. Women produce 60-80% of food in these areas.

The growth in the agriculture sector is twice as effective at reducing poverty as growth in other sectors. This investment will help the poor people earn their way out of poverty. In addition to fueling economic growth, investment in agriculture will also enable the Somalis to better feed their people.

Objectives

YERA help farmers access to tools, fertilizers, seeds, and information which is urgently needed to help communities prevent food crisis. Safety-nets like cash-for-work programs are also needed to ensure that the poorest families do not descend further into poverty. In the long-term, food security and economic growth will require significant investments in agriculture and rural development. With better infrastructure, improved technology and training, and access to financial services, farmers could benefit from increased crop yields and stronger connections to domestic and regional markets.